Blog
Castle Douglas Cooking Roundup
Thu, 23rd Feb 2023Our Castle Douglas young people have been treating us to lots of delicious meals this half term!
Each week at our site in Castle Douglas our young people pick a recipe they would like to try and prepare in the Community Centre kitchen. This last half-term we have had a variety of recipes prepared by the young people such as vegetable stir fry, roasted winter vegetable soup, pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, and shepherd’s pie. After cooking up a tasty lunch we then like to sit down and eat together and enjoy what they have made.
Our young people really enjoy these sessions as they get to choose what they are cooking themselves and it’s a great opportunity for the young people to work as a team.
Cooking sessions are enjoyed so much in Castle Douglas that the enterprise group made their very own cookbook.
The recipe book includes a plethora of tasty starters, vegetarian dishes, dessert, and even mocktails. About the book Laura, who attends BLP and contributed to the recipe book, said: “I thought it was inspirational, because of all the ideas in it. I made the contents page, and I’m really proud of the book”.
To order your own BLP Recipe book please contact Allison Davies (adavies@betterlivespartnership.org.uk). Books cost £6 or get 2 copies for £10.
For a little taster of what is inside check out this recipe for Dutch Pea Soup!
Dutch Pea Soup (snert)
Ingredients:
- 500g green split peas
- 1 ham hock (optional)
- 2 onions (peeled and chopped)
- 3 potatoes (peeled and chopped)
- 2 large carrots (peeled and chopped)
- 1 celery stick (chopped)
- 1 leek
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 stock cubes
- Bread (for dunking!)
Method:
- Rinse the Green Split Peas and soak them in water overnight
- Cover the peas in water in large pan. Bring the peas to a boil and boil for 15 minutes before adding the vegetables, bay leaves, stock cubes, and ham (if adding meat).
- Lower the temperature and leave simmer for 1 and half to 2 hours. And more water if needed.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the soup catching on the botton of the pan and keep checking the seasoning too. Add additional seasoning of your choice to suit your tastes.
- After simmering check if the peas are soft. The soup should be thick, and you should be able to stand a wooden spoon up in it.
- If using meat, remove it and slice it up and add it back into the soup.
- Serve with some delicious bread (we suggest rye) and enjoy!
We can’t wait to see what they cook next after the February break!
